The Multi-purpose Prop
Storytelling
Just as how we use words to stimulate the imagination of our audiences, let us storytellers use props in a discerning and resourceful manner to support our storytelling. In this workshop, let experienced storytelling coach and theatre practitioner Verena Tay guide you in expanding the possibilities of using a chosen prop and then integrating these new options within your telling of a story, thereby further wowing your audience with your creativity.
Areas Covered
- Exploring the use of generic props within storytelling.
- Expanding the storyteller’s capacity and ingenuity.
Pre-Workshop Preparation
For Participants
- Please come dressed in loose, comfortable clothing so that you will not feel constricted while doing the various physical activities.
- Please bring at least one generic non-breakable prop (e.g. a piece of cloth, a stick, a ball) that you would like to experiment with.
- Please bring at least 2 action-based stories that you would like to improve the telling of.
For Organisers
- Please make available preferably a rehearsal room or studio with no encumbrances that allows free movement.
- Alternatively, a classroom with fair acoustics is possible, as long as all the furniture in the room has been removed or pushed aside so that participants can move about the entire space unhampered.
Feedback
Participants’ Feedback (2012)
What aspects of this workshop benefitted you most?
“The Energizers were fun and had a purpose. I liked the ‘stick hold’ in pairs without speech. We had to feel to be connected. Was excellent as it was.”
Jessie Goh
“Observing the stories told by participants making the props “morph”—gives me many ideas—for narrative counselling in my work. It was most enjoyable. I look forward to the next story play.”
Helen Tan
“Seeing props used in novel ways. Having a relationship with props. Enjoyed this thoroughly. Led through exercises at a good gentle pace. Thanks, Verena.”
Kiran Shah
“Using the prop in a variety of ways. Very well organised with fun activity as intro.”
Kordial Kor
“Learning how to use a simple object that can transform and evolve as the story unfolds.”
Juriah Atan
“1. Imagining the prop in different form, shape etc. 2. Watching what other people do with their props.”
Tan Joo Hymn
“1. The fun. 2. The use of different things.”
Nancy Leppard
About the Facilitator
Verena Tay has spent more than 25 years acting, directing and writing for Singaporean English-language theatre. She has published three collections of plays and an anthology of short stories as well as edited two short story collections. In addition, Verena is an active storyteller-cum-storytelling coach and a co-founder of MoonShadow Stories. Possessing an MA in Voice Studies (Central School of Speech and Drama, 2005) and an MA in English Literature (National University of Singapore, 1993), she has been helping people to improve their communication skills since 2001 and currently teaches voice, speech and presentation skills at various local institutions.